Wheelman

Blessey Marine; Harahan (LA); On-site; USD 90,000 - 140,000; Full time

Job summary

Blessey Marine Services, Inc. is seeking a seasoned officer to oversee the safe, efficient operation of assigned areas aboard the vessel and its barges. You will lead the crew, ensure regulatory compliance, and coordinate with customers and authorities.

The role requires navigational expertise, strong leadership, and the ability to manage safety programs and environmental responsibilities in inland waterways and Great Lakes operations.

Qualifications

• Hold and maintain United States Coast Guard marine documents and/ or licenses for inland waters and the Great Lakes.
• Attend and complete company training on procedures and safety.
• Provide orientation and training for crewmembers.
• Organize safety, quality, and operation meetings.

Responsibilities

• Train and supervise the crew in safe, efficient duties.
• Evaluate performance of river and canal crews.
• Navigate vessels using steering controls, radar, comms, depth finders.
• Oversee cleaning/maintenance of the vessel and cargo handling.
• Adhere to Coast Guard and environmental regulations.
• Represent the company with customers and agency personnel.
• Act as on-site coordinator in emergencies.
• Perform routine engine room maintenance on smaller vessels.

Skills

Leadership

Navigation

Safety compliance

Crew supervision

Communication

Education

USCG license or marine documents

Tools

Navigational equipment

Job description

Reportsto: C.O.O., V.P. of Operations, OperationsManager, Port Captain

Supervises: Tankerman,Deckhands

SUMMARYDESCRIPTION:

Responsible for the safe, efficient, reliable,and environmentally compliant operation of assigned areas by performing thefollowing duties:

ESSENTIAL JOB FUNCTIONS:

The Master, ReliefCaptain and Pilot are the managers of the vessel including all barges attached. The Master, Relief Captain and Pilot areresponsible for the crew’s adherence to all United States Coast Guard andcompany policies. The Master, ReliefCaptain and Pilot are to navigate safely, supervise the crew, oversee safetyprograms, comply with rules and regulations pertaining to the towing of vesselsand protect the environment. The Master,Relief Captain and Pilot take work assignments from the OperationDepartment. The Pilot backs up theMaster, serving as supervisor when the Master is asleep and has management andsupervisory responsibility while on watch.The Relief Captain serves as Pilot when the Master is on the vessel, andserves as the Master when the Master is at home. The Master, Relief Captain and Pilot must beable to intercede and safely perform the essential functions of any job on thevessel to include the job tasks of a deckhand and tankerman.

• Trainsand supervises the crew in the safe and efficient performance of duties.
• Evaluatesperformance of all crewmembers with river crews consisting of 7 to 10members and canal crews consisting of 4 to 5 members.
• Navigatesin rivers or canals by properly using steering controllers, throttles,radar compasses, short wave radios, depth finders, loud hailers and otherequipment to transport tow to a destination. Uses radio communication and vision tonavigate waterways, docks, locks, and other vessel traffic.
• Supervisesthe cleaning and maintenance of boat and tow; the loading, transport, anddischarging of cargo.
• Adheresto company policies. United StatesCoast Guard and environmental regulations.
• Actsas a company representative in the day-to-day dealings with customers attheir facilities and with representatives of governmental agencies.
• Actsas the on-site coordinator in emergencies.
• Onsmaller vessels performs routine engine room maintenance such as changingoil, checking oil, and changing fuel filters.

QUALIFICATIONS:

Learning and TrainingRequirements

• Holdand maintain necessary United States Coast Guard marine documents and/ orlicenses for the position of the Master/ Relief Captain/ Pilot for inlandwaters and the Great Lakes. Employeemust be able to meet all requirements to be able to renew and maintaindocuments or licenses.
• Attend andsuccessfully complete company training on new procedures and operationssuch as vapor recovery, benzene regulations, and fire fighting.
• Attend companytraining on new procedures.
• Provide navigationexperience to senior crewmembers.
• Provideorientation to new employees and training for all crewmembers.
• Organize periodicoperational meetings including safety, quality system, and othercompany-related topics.
• Provide briefingsto crew on customer requirements.

Safety and Rescue Requirements

• Ensure safe,working conditions and orderliness to the vessel.
• Ensuresafe, sanitary living and working conditions for the crew.
• Ensurethat company safety rules and environmental regulations are being followed.
• Establishgood morale, personal hygiene, and efficiency of the crew.
• Wearsafety equipment as required, including steel-toed shoes, foul weather gear,gloves, boots, and respirators to protect against cargo contact.
• Ensuresafe operation of the vessel, the safety of the crew and safety of any visitorat all times and in all weather conditions.
• Assistin safety and rescue operations in emergency situations.
• Physicallypull or assist pulling a 200-300 lb. man from the water.

Inspecting, Record-Keeping and Verifying Requirements

• Ensurethat all barge and vessel documentation is on board, is current and is located
  on the proper vessel.
• Maintainthe vessel log (towing job, actions, speed, and times).
• Approverequisitions for equipment, material, repairs, supplies and food.
• Verifybarge manifest.
• Conductthe primary investigation of all injuries, illnesses, and accidents, andcomplete
  necessary forms and reports.
• Conducta monthly physical inspection of the vessel, observing, for example, safetyequipment, fire fighting equipment, licenses and other documentation.

Minimum Job Qualifications:

• Navigatevessel safely by properly operating navigational controls, propulsion, engines,gears, mechanical and electrical equipment under various environmentalconditions.
• Read– read office updates, procedure manuals, safety memos, federal and statedocuments, manifests, and requisitions.
• Write– keeps the vessel logs, completes checklists, and takes written exams asrequired by the company and/ or governmental agencies.
• Interpret,understand and use maps and charts.
• Communicatewith Dispatcher, crewmembers, other Masters, Relief Captains, Pilots, PortEngineers, Coast Guard Inspectors and others.
• Directcrew to complete actions and follow regulations in a safe, efficient manner.
• Resolvedisputes among crewmembers.
• Maintainmorale of crewmembers.
• Considermany conditions, including weather, vessel and waterway characteristics,traffic, and the abilities of the crew in the making of quick, effectivedecisions about navigation and the operation of the vessel.
• Evaluateand treat minor medical conditions and injuries within the scope of his or herknowledge and abilities.
• Remaincalm during challenging situations and set the “tone” for the safe, positive,efficient functioning of all members of the crew.
• Possesa United States Coast Guard Boat License and/ or marine document for vesseloperated.
• Possesa valid driver’s license for operation of any of the company’s vehicles.
• Demonstrateleadership by persuading others to perform work because they want to do it.
• Bementally and physically stable under pressure and withstand the stressassociated with the job, including discomfort, unpredictable weather andpotentially hazardous situations.
• Workaboard vessel for prolonged periods according to work schedule for the vessel,for example: 28 days on and 14 days off or 20 days on and 10 days off.
• Work shifts of 6 hours around the clock and work additional hours ifnecessary. An individual licensed to operate a towing vessel may not work for more than 12 hours in a consecutive24-hour period except in an emergency.
• Maintainvigilance during 6-hour shift in the wheelhouse.
• Willingto work, as operations require, including additional days.
• Livein close quarters and be able to work away from home for long periods of time.
• Bedrug and alcohol free while on company property during course and scope ofcompany business.

LANGUAGESKILLS

Ability to read, analyze, and interpret generalbusiness periodicals, professional journals, technical procedures, orgovernmental regulations. Ability towrite reports, business correspondence, and procedure manuals. Ability to effectively present informationand respond to questions from groups of managers, clients, customers, and thegeneral public.

MATHEMATICALSKILLS

Ability to apply concepts such as fractions,percentages, ratios, and proportions to practical situations.

REASONINGABILITY

Ability to define problems, collect data,establish facts, and draw valid conclusions. Ability to interpret an extensivevariety of technical instructions in mathematical or diagram form and deal withseveral abstract and concrete variables.

Blessey Marine Services, Inc. is an Equal Opportunity Employer and Drug Free Workplace